Drug-trafficking suspect denied bail

Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Fredericton, was remanded last week after being charged with repeated violations of a release order issued in April

A drug-trafficking suspect freed on conditions over a judge’s objections last month has been remanded into custody after being accused of three breaches of his release order.

Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham, 28, of Capitol Manor in Fredericton, was arrested last month and faced charges of possessing fentanyl, cocaine and meth for the purpose of trafficking, possessing a stolen Honda Civic, possessing less than $5,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime and storing shotgun shells carelessly, all on April 12 in Fredericton.

He was also charged with further allegations that he obstructed a city police officer and violated his probation March 5.

Kyle MacKenzie Ingraham (Photo: Facebook)

Though initially detained for a bail hearing, Ingraham was released on conditions April 17 when a prosecutor withdrew the Crown’s objection to his release.

That prompted provincial court Judge Mary Jane Richards to express surprise and irritation over what she perceived to be lenient treatment of a suspect accused of serious drug crimes. Nevertheless, the judge had no choice but to issue a release order since the Crown had consented to it.

Ingraham was back before the court May 8, facing new counts of possession of a firearm or imitation thereof for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possession of a firearm (a pellet gun) while prohibited by a court order, and breaches of his release order and probation, all alleged to have occurred in Fredericton on May 2.

There was also another new charge at that time alleging he violated the curfew condition of his release order.

The suspect wasn’t in custody at that time, and the earlier and new charges were set over to June 5 for election of mode of trial and pleas.

However, Ingraham was back in provincial court last week, and this time, he was back in custody - facing new charges yet again.

Now he’s charged with personal possession of meth and another breach of his release order, namely to abstain from possessing drugs.

The new counts are alleged to have occurred May 14 in Welsford.

The Crown had objected to his release anew, and a bail hearing was held May 18. At its conclusion, Judge Natalie LeBlanc ruled Ingraham hadn’t shown cause why he should be released and remanded him pending the outcome of the various charges against him.

Evidence presented at the hearing and the judge’s reasons for remanding him are subject to a publication ban until the case concludes.

Ingraham was ordered to reappear in court June 5 to answer to all the charges, but this time in custody.

A second suspect was also charged in the same incident giving rise to Ingraham’s April 12 charges. Katie Jaclyn Stewart, 40, of Colburne Drive in Geary, is accused of possession of meth, Dilaudid and cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of the stolen Civic and careless storage of shotgun shells.

After initially being detained, she was also released April 17 when the Crown withdrew its objection to her release.

Stewart is due back in court May 29 to elect mode of trial and enter pleas as well.

Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.